Stamp collecting forums are a great way to network with other collectors from around the world. Stamp collectors oftentimes run into problems with their collections, many times due to lack of knowledge. By asking questions and helping others out on stamp forums, you can usually get timely answers and make friends with others at the same time.
Stamp forums also contain loads of past discussions that you can browse through, many of which will answer various stamp related questions you may have.
One feature just about every stamp forum has is a stamp exchange. In a stamp exchange, people list stamps they want to trade, and other members can reply with their offer. If the trade is agreed to, the members will send their stamps to each other.
Many stamp forums also allow the buying and selling of stamps. Members list (with pictures) stamps they have for sale, and set a price. Interested buyers will then work out the details of the sale through a private message with the seller. It should be noted that, unlike with eBay and other “real” marketplaces, there is no such thing as “buyer protection” or “seller protection” when it comes to forums. So be warned: buying/selling stamps on forums isn’t the safest thing to do. If the transaction involves members with a good reputation though, things should be fine.
And finally, on to what you’ve been waiting for –
Stamp Community Forum
With between 15,000 and 20,000 members, Stamp Community Forum (SCF) is one of the most active stamp forums. SCF has thousands of topics with a wealth of knowledge. Features include threads covering just about every stamp-related topic possible, as well as buy/sell and trade sections.
Stamp Boards
Based in Australia, Stamp Boards is another large stamp forum, with over 16,000 members. Stamp boards is extremely active, with millions of posts, and includes threads for buying, selling, and trading stamps.
Stamporama
Stamporama is is one of the “big 3” stamp forums, with several thousand members and tons of topics. Stamporama isn’t just a stamp forum — it’s an “online stamp club” as well. Many features are included on Stamporama that other forums don’t have, such as member exhibits and even a gazette.
The Stamp Forum
With over 300 members and 43,000 posts, The Stamp Forum is quite active for its size. It includes, like the others, buy, sell, and trade sections, and even a giveaway section.
Stamp Bears
Despite being fairly small with under 200 members, Stamp Bears is very active with over 110,000 posts. Stamp Bears is known as the friendliest stamp forum, stating that they “operate under the principles of inclusivity, friendliness and a delight of the pastime we all share”.
Stamp Exchange
As the name implies, Stamp Exchange is more than just a stamp forum. Active buy, sell, and trade sections are present, making it a great way to collect and connect with other philatelists.
The Stamp Collecting Forum
Hosted by Delphi Forums, this stamp forum is one of the oldest, with thousands of threads and posts. In my opinion, it’s the hardest to navigate of all the stamp forums, but that doesn’t seem to hinder its health.
Before closing, I want to make quick disclaimer – I am not a member of every forum I listed. I do stalk most of them though. 😉
Hope you enjoyed the list. Do check out some or all of these stamp forums, and if you haven’t already, consider joining a few of them too. I can guarantee (from personal experience) that as a forum member, you’ll learn a TON more about the hobby of stamp collecting.
Are you already a member of any of these forums? Do you know of a stamp collecting forum I missed? Feel free to leave a comment below — I’d love to hear from you!
Thanks for the info coming back to collecting after a long absents and I need to get a few items to swap. This all looks good I will give it a go. Please keep your fingers crossed for me. Kind regards Barbara
Hi Barbara,
Welcome back to the hobby! Many of the forums in the list above offer a stamp trading section. And here is a site I found which is dedicated to trading stamps: https://www.tradeonlystamps.com/index.html
Again, welcome back and good luck building your collection! Fingers crossed. 🙂
Ian
Be wary of Stamp Boards! It is run by a despotic megalomaniac who goes by the username of the “Sheriff.” He constantly berates members for even slightly disagreeing with him. In a condescending manner all his own, he belittles beginning collectors who ask questions which may seem simple to experienced collectors, but which thet are unaware of the answers. As far as them having 16,000 members, it’s likely that only a few hundred are actually active as, just like with the Hotel California, you can check out but you can never leave. It is impossible to end your membership in the forum. Just like Hitler and the SS, he has quite a few hardcore followers who hang on his every word and seem to worship him. If you must, go there and read the threads but DO NOT JOIN! Sooner or later you will make a post that will garner the attention of the “Sheriff” and you will be the recipient of his vile remarks. I know dozens of people on other forums who have experienced this. If you Google “Glen Stephens stamps,” you will get results showing many examples of what I’m talking about. I’m a member of all of the forums listed and, apart from Stamp Boards, the rest are quite friendly.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Jake! I am a member there but haven’t posted for several years. As you said, at the very least it is a good place to find information.